The National Association of RV Parks and Campgrounds (ARVC) wrapped up its participation in RVs Move America Week on Wednesday having met with 34 different legislators about the value of RV parks and campgrounds and the RV industry.
This year’s RVs Move America Week, hosted by industry partner, the RV Industry Association, was attended by 11 representatives of ARVC.
“Every year this week is a fantastic show of unity in our industry,” said Paul Bambei, ARVC president and CEO. “This year, our delegation of campground owners and ARVC staff had important conversations with key legislators from a dozen states and worked together with RV manufacturers and dealers to share our industry’s impressive impact on the U.S. economy.”
RVIA had announced new data earlier in the week showing the RV industry has a $114 billion impact on the nation’s economy, including $26 billion from RV parks and campgrounds.
Other topics the ARVC delegation discussed with legislators included:
- Infrastructure improvements that would allow RVers and campers to safely traverse the nation’s roads and bridges on their way to their next adventure.
- Indirect costs caused by China and Mexico tariffs and the effects on the entire industry, specifically increases seen in various metal-based products necessary in the construction and expansion of RV parks and campgrounds (pedestals, electrical wiring, etc.).
- Increasing awareness and support for the RV Caucus – a group of legislators who actively support the RV industry as a whole.
“The RV Caucus is an easy way for legislators to show their support for the RV industry and for our industry to clearly and concisely communicate with these legislators when important topics arise,” said Jeff Sims, ARVC’s senior director of public affairs and program advocacy. “ARVC’s goal is to work with our industry partners to successfully invite as many legislators to this important group as possible.”
ARVC had a record number of members submit delegate applications this year, and as interest in joining the ARVC delegation grows each year, the national association is exploring ways to include even more members – especially from partnering states – in future years, Sims said.
ARVC currently has 23 partnering states: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Virginia, and Wisconsin.
